InFluential_Magazine_May_June_2017

Teen
FRESH WAYS TO ENJOY
Pizza Night
AND MAKE
A BALANCED MEAL
You know a balanced
diet that includes
plenty of fruits and
vegetables is best
for your health, but
achieving that can
be a challenge given
everything you have to
accomplish in a day.
Daily meal planning doesn’t have
to be such a chore if you turn to
your freezer for a little help. In
fact, starting with frozen prepared foods
as the foundation of your dinner plate
and adding side dishes with fresh fruit,
vegetables, whole grains and/or lowfat
dairy can make it possible to serve a
balanced meal that is quick and tasty. And
that works for pizza night, too! “Eating a
balanced meal doesn’t mean you have to
give up favorite foods like pizza,” says Bobby
Parrish, Food Network personality and
Today contributor. “It just means you need
to be mindful of portion sizes and balance
out your plate with a nutritious side dish of
fresh vegetables, fruit and whole grains.”
Research shows that Americans
struggle with meeting recommended
dietary guidelines. In fact, nine out of 10
people don’t get the daily recommended
servings of fruits and vegetables,
the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention say. A simple way to improve
the mix of foods you’re eating is by
supplementing something you already
288 TEEN FLUENTIAL MAY / JUNE 2017